n. 1. Any of several lichens, chiefly of the genus Roccella, from which a dye is obtained. 2. The violet dyestuff obtained from any of these lichens. [Middle English orchell, ultimately from Old Catalan orxella, from Andalusian dialectal Arabic 'urjālla, of Mozarabic origin, ultimately from Latin ōricilla, a little ear (probably from the resemblance of the lichens to growths on the fetlocks of mules, somewhat resembling little ears ), diminutive of auris, ear; see AURICLE.] |
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